LE MINOR

We are warmly welcomed by Gildas Le Minor and his wife in a beautiful stone building, that is used as an office and a workshop since the family house became Maison Le Minor. The story begins before and after the second world war : Gildas’s mother, Marie-Anne Le Minor, a woman of character, became friends with the greatest artists of the region and starts by making dolls before developing a business of embroidery and tapestry. The finest eyes and hands of the Bigouden region contributed to the history and reputation of Le Manoir. The business flourishes in the 1970’s, employing up to 300 embroiderers, producing linen, decoration pieces, traditional costumes (such as mens vests in black cloth worked with gold thread), bannières de pardon (ceremony banners), dolls (as always) and hand sewn clothing. Draperies and prints are created in collaboration with Mathurin Méheut, Pierre Toulhoat, Robert Dom, or René-Yves Creston. A letter from the writer Colette to Marie-Anne, written on pretty blue and framed , watches over us like a blessing to a unique artistic and human heritage. On the first floor of Pont L’Abbé’s house, collections and archives seem to be waiting calmly for the exhibition that will surely be dedicated to them one day.

Gildas Le Minor thinks ahead. He maintains a valuable network of embroiderers, but also spinners, printers, garment makers. He also tackles the crucial question: the transmission of a know-how and a catalog with immense value and potential. Something worth developing!

Note: Historically, Le Minor also manufactures “knitwear and clothing”, including the Breton striped sweater, peacoat and Kabig that the brand has created from traditional workwear. This branch was sold and taken over in 1982 by the Grammatico family, owner of the MBL factory near Lorient.